A controversial program of separate Austria language classes for non-native German speakers has often resulted in students repeating school years. An official assessment indicates that a significant 25 percent of these students repeat at least one grade. This situation contributes to a comparatively high number of over-age pupils across the Alpine nation.
For many years, schools were mandated to provide these separate German classes. Students were pulled from regular lessons for several hours daily. Critics frequently labeled these as “ghetto classes.” However, the government has now relaxed these rules starting this school year.
Schools can independently decide how to support non-native German speakers. Already, half of all schools have abolished the separate class system. This change follows widespread concern over the program’s effectiveness.
One 19-year-old refugee recalled feeling “lost” and “upset.” He was the only one in his group pulled out for special instruction. Similarly, 16-year-old Makarii, a Ukrainian student, highlighted the social challenges. He missed blending in and found friendships dissolved by the program.
The education ministry’s recent assessment confirmed these issues. It found 22 percent of “non-regular” students repeated a year once in 2022-23. An additional three percent repeated twice. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr described these numbers as “far too high.”
Susanne Schwab, a University of Vienna education expert, explained the mechanism. Students in these extended Austria language classes are not graded in core subjects like mathematics. Therefore, they cannot advance to the next grade level. This often leads to an “automatic repetition.”
Moreover, Dr. Schwab emphasized that these students experience significant learning delays. Repeating a grade becomes a common part of their educational path. She believes the program, adopted against scientific consensus, generates more problems than it solves.
Data from the Austrian Integration Fund shows the demographics involved. Among these “non-regular students,” 35 percent are from Syria and 27 percent are from Ukraine. Almost 60,000 students were in special classes last year. In Vienna, one in five primary school children participated.
OECD figures further highlight Austria’s issue with over-age pupils. Between 2015 and 2023, the proportion rose from 4.1 percent to 5.8 percent in primary schools. In secondary schools, it increased from 6.5 percent to 9.1 percent. These are students at least two years older than their grade level.
The initial program was introduced eight years ago by a conservative-far-right government. Meanwhile, the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPOe) has criticized the recent rule changes. They had won the last parliamentary elections in 2024 but failed to form a government.
Despite the recent policy shift, the program’s legacy will persist. Its impact on student trajectories will be felt for some years to come. Experts have previously cited “racist mechanisms” within the system.
